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Hey CamJ
Just living life. Merger-ed myself out of a job, took up selling health and life insurance. That took sometime to get the license and learn selling skills. I still get out in the bay. Have more time to go thru the board since I work from a "home" office, (read bunny slippers, coffee, computer, and telephone.) (Ok I really don't wear bunny slippers).

01-13-2009 12:19 PM

Boasun

Of course you all realize that the amount of marine growth on the bottom makes a difference also.
Ultra clean bottom 6+ kts
Average clean bottom 5+ kts
grassy bottom 4+ kts
botanical gardens on the bottom 2+ kts

Now how close am I??

01-13-2009 11:21 AM

bubb2

I use a 6 knot average when I am planing a cruise. I find it easier to do the time, distance and speed calculations in my head when I use 6 knots. I aways late though.!!!

01-13-2009 11:11 AM

genieskip

I'll chime in on the 5 kts average. That's what I use when cruising under conditions that don't allow for long term use of engine when the wind dies. The times you are bombing along at 8 kts are offset by the times when you are drifting in circles. And of course all bets are off it you are going to windward in light stuff.

One variable no one mentioned is where you are cruising. When we crossed Lake Michigan years ago, we used to figure 5 knots as minimum speed, because the run was about 60 NM where we usually crossed, and we always liked to do it in the 7 AM to 7 PM time frame. If the wind fell off and our speed dropped below 5 knots, we would start the engine. However, when crossing an ocean, you really don't want to start the engine because you don't carry enough fuel to run the engine for a couple weeks!

I agree. paddling a 30' with a boat hook never gets you very far. Of course judging by some of the boats at the Marina, I would say 0. I never see them leave the dock.

01-12-2009 01:51 PM

RAGTIMEDON

One variable no one mentioned is where you are cruising. When we crossed Lake Michigan years ago, we used to figure 5 knots as minimum speed, because the run was about 60 NM where we usually crossed, and we always liked to do it in the 7 AM to 7 PM time frame. If the wind fell off and our speed dropped below 5 knots, we would start the engine. However, when crossing an ocean, you really don't want to start the engine because you don't carry enough fuel to run the engine for a couple weeks!

01-11-2009 10:18 PM

Heloboarder

Thanks for all the feedback. Everyone's answers was exactly what I was looking for.

01-11-2009 04:06 AM

Sailormann

Quote:

What are the average cruising speeds for a 30-40' displacement and semi displacement hull sailboat?

... to calculate the average you need to measure the speeds at various points and then add them all up and then divide that figure by the number of speed measurements that you took....

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